Dental drilling apparatus



May 22, 1962 c. s. REID ETAL DENTAL DRILLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1960 3E w w I Eye-4%.? 627%.? Ferd 6 17% agem May 22, 1962 c. s. REID ETAL. 3,

DENTAL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 22, 1952 3,035,349 DENTAL DRILLING APPARATUS Curtis S. Reid and Ralph T. Hodges, Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C., assignors to Todd-W Company, a corporation of North Carolina Filed Dec. 9, 1969,, Ser. No. 74,895, 1 Claim. (Cl. 32-23) This invention relates to a dental drilling apparatus, and more particularly to a dental drilling apparatus which includes a water operated drill or turbine.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a Water turbine electrically controlled dental drill Which may be made as portable equipment or else it can be used in a permanent installation, and wherein according to the present invention a direct water supply is used instead of utilizing a water pail or Water chamber for supplying thevwater to the dental drill or drills.

A further object is to provide a dental drilling apparatus which permits thetorque of the drill to be increased without sacrificing the number of revolutions per minute for optimum speed, and wherein one or more Water turbine drills can be used independently of. each other or at the same time as desired or required Without effecting the torque of the drills.

Still another object is to provide such a dental drilling apparatus of the type statedthat is economical to manufacture and efiicient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of theinvention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claim, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated 'by like reference characters, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional viewillustrating a permanent installation wherein a plurality of independent dental drills are operated according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view illustrating the wiring diagram for the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view illustrating a modification wherein a portable unit is constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a wiring diagram corresponding to the apparatus of FIGURE 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral 19 indicates a thermostatic mixing valve which has hot and cold water inlet lines 11 and 12 connected thereto, and these lines 11 and 12 are adapted to be connected to suitable sources of supply of fresh hot and cold water. The numeral 13 indicates an outlet line which is connected to the mixing valve 10, FIGURE 1, and the outlet line 13 leads to a pump 14 which is perated by an electric motor 15, and the electric motor 15 may be supported in a convenient location such as on the bottom wall 16 of a cabinet or enclosure 17, and the enclosure 17 may be arranged in a suitable location such as a room 18 which is part of a dentists ofiice arrangement.

The numeral 19 indicates an outlet conduit which is connected to the pump 14, and a plurality of branch lines such as the branch lines 29 and 20' are connected to the outlet conduit 19. These branch lines have solenoid valves such as the solenoid valves 21 and 21' therein, the solenoid for the valve 21 being indicated by the numeral 22, and the solenoid for the valve 21' being in dicated by the numeral 22. As shown in FIGURE 1 a plurality of separate rooms or, localities such as the localities 23 and 23' are adapted to be provided, and these separate localities may have separate wateroperated dental drills 24 and 24' therein, and these drills 24 and 24' are connected to the branch lines 211 and 20' as shown in the drawings.

There is further provided an electrical circuit which includes foot controlled switches or pedals 25 and Z5, and the numeral 26 indicates electrical input conductors, and as shown in FIGURE 1 a control box 27 may be provided in the enclosure 17, and arranged in the control box 27 are certain parts of the electrical circuit such as the transformer 28 as well as relays 29 and 29'.

A sink 319 is adapted to be arranged in each room or locality'23 and 23', and a drain line 31 depends from each sink 30. The numeral 32 indicates a conduit which connects a branch line 20 and 20' to a respective drain line 31, and the conduit 32 has a control valve 33 therein. The numeral 34 indicates abypass line which connects a branch line 20 or 20 to the conduit 32, and the bypass line 34 has a pressure control valve 35 therein.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification wherein there is provided a portable dental drilling apparatus which is indicated generally by the numeral 36, and the apparatus 36 embodies a hollow housing 37 which includes a horizontally disposed bottom wall 38, and an electric motor 39 is suitably mounted on or supported on the bottom wall 38, the motor 39 serving to operate a water pump 41?.

As shown in FIGURE 3 a water inlet hose 41 is connected to the pump 46*, and the hose 41 has a fitting or coupling 42 thereon. The numeral 43 indicates a water outlet line that is connected to the pump 40, and a valve 44 is arranged in a water outlet line 43, the valve 14 being controlled by a solenoid 45. The numeral 46 indicates a conventional water operated turbine type dental drill which is connected to the line 43 as shown in the drawings.

There is also provided a conduit 47 which is connected to the outlet line 43, and the conduit 47 has a control valve 48 therein, there being a drain line or hose 4 9 suitably afiixed or connected to the end of the conduit 47. A bypass line 56 extends between the outlet line 43 and the conduit 47, and the bypass line 50 has a pressure relief or control valve 51 therein.

There is also provided an electrical circuit for the device of FIGURE 3 which is shown in FIGURE 4, and it will be seen that there is provided a foot operated switch or foot pedal 52, as well as electrical input conductors 53, and a transformer 54, and the transformer 54 may be arranged in an outlet box 55. The electrical circuit further includes a relay 56.

As shown in FIGURE 3, casters or wheels 57 de pend from the housing 37, and due to the provision of the casters 57 the device 36 can be readily moved from place to place as desired so that the device of FIGURES 3 and 4 can be used as a portable dental drilling unit.

With the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, and in particular as shown in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that hot and cold water are adapted to be supplied from a suitable source of supply such as the usual hot and cold pipe lines in a building or the like, and the mixing valve 16 may be thermostatically controlled so that the Water flowing out through the outlet line 13 will be at the desired temperature in order to insure that the patient will be able to have water sprayed into his or her mouth whereby the water will be at the proper warm temperature in order toinsure that the patient will be in the most comfortable condition. This water from the outlet line 13 is pumped through the outlet conduit 19 by means of the pump 14, and the pump 14 is operated by the electric motor 15, and the electric motor 15 as well as certain of the accessories such as the outlet box 27 and solenoid valves and relays may be arranged in a convenient or suitable enclosure such as that indicated by the numeral 17, and the enclosure 17 may be positioned in a location or room such as the room or location indicated by the numeral 18 in FIGURE 1. The valves 21 and 21' are normally closed, and with the parts arranged as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a dentist can use either of the drills 24 and 24 which may be located in separate rooms or localities such as indicated by the numerals 23 and 23. While two drills 24 and 24' have been illustrated, it is to be understood that the number of drills can be varied as desired or required, and when the number of drills is to be increased more than the number illustrated, then it is to be understood that each drill will have the accessories shown and described.

When a drill is to be used, the operator or dentist steps on a pedal 25 or 25', and if desired both drills 24 and 24' can be used at the same time, or else only one drill can be used at a time as desired. By applying foot pressure to the switch or pedal 25 or 25', the electrical circuit from the input wires 26 will be completed to a solenoid, and for example by stepping on the pedal 25, the electrical circuit will be completed to the solenoid 22, so as to open the valve 21, and similarly by stepping on the pedal 25 the electrical circuit to the solenoid 22' will be completed so as to open the valve 21. With the valve 21 or 21 opened, the water will be pumped from the outlet conduit 19 through a branch line 20 or 20 and this water will fiow to the drills 24 and 24', the drills 24 and 24' being of conventional construction and being of the type which are operated by Water pressure and they have a turbine type construction. At the same time, applying pressure to a foot pedal will complete a circuit to a relay, and for example by stepping on the pedal 25, the circuit to the relay 29 will be completed, or by stepping on the pedal 25, the circuit to the relay 29' will be completed, and this will cause the electrical circuit to be completed to the motor 15 whereby the pump 14 will be operated in order to pump the water through the outlet conduit 19 and then through the branch lines as previously stated. When foot pressure on the pedal is released, the electrical circuit will be automatically opened or broken so that the motor 15 will stop operating the pump 14, and the valves 21 and 21' will be closed.

The waste such as the wash water from the patients mouth is adapted to be received in a sink such as the sinks 23 and 23', and this waste fluid will flow down through the sink and then through the drain line 31 so that this waste fluid can be discharged into the usual sewage system or the like in the usual manner through the drain line 31. The line 32 is connected between the branch line 2% or 20 and the drain line 31, and there is provided the manually operable valve 33 in the line 32, so that the user of the apparatus can open or close the valve 33 in order to regulate the amount of water bypassed through the line 32 from the lines 20 and 20' whereby the provision of the valve 33 provides a means of regulating the flow of water through the branch lines in order to provide a means for controlling the speed of the drills 24 and 24.

The bypass line 34 has the valve 35 therein, and the valve 35 is of the pressure type so that for example in the event the water pressure in the system such as in a branch line exceeds a predetermined amount, the valve 35 can automatically open to permit some of the water from the branch line to flow through the bypass line 34 to the line 32 and then into the drain 31.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings there is illustrated a modification wherein a portable unit 36 is provided which consists of a housing or enclosure 37 that is mounted on wheels or casters 57, and the unit 36 may have its electrical components connected to a suitable source of electrical energy as for example by means of the wires 53. The fitting 42 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of water and for example the fitting 42 may be connected to a conduit such as a conduit 13 shown in FIGURE 1 whereby the Water of the desired temperature can be supplied to the hose 41 from the fitting 42,

and this water from the hose or line 41 will be pumped by the pump 40 through the outlet 43 when the motor 39 is actuated.

When the device of FIGURES 3 and 4 is being used, the dentist may step on the pedal 52 so as to complete the electrical circuit to the solenoid such as the solenoid 45 so as to open the normally closed valve 44, and at the same time the circuit to the relay 56 will be completed and this will cause the circuit to be completed to the electric motor 39 whereby with the valve '44 open, and with the motor 39 energized, the water can be pumped through the outlet line 43, and this water will flow to the drill 46 so that the dentist can use the drill in the usual manner.

The unit 36 of FIGURE 3 is adapted to be used in conjunction with a suitable sink if a sink is available, and any suitable provision can be made for receiving the waste material from the patients month. In addition, the conduit 47 has a valve 48 therein, so that by manually opening or closing the valve 48 the flow of water through the outlet line 43 can be controlled whereby a means is provided for regulating the speed of the drill 46. Also, the bypass line 50 has the pressure release valve 51 therein, whereby in the event that the pressure in the line 43 builds up too high, the valve 51 can open in order to permit some of the water from the line 43 to flow through the line 50 and into the line or conduit 47. A hose 4-9 is adapted to be connected to the line 47 and this hose 49 can discharge its water into any suitable locality such as a sewer line, sink, or the like.

The foot pedal 52 is adapted to be arranged in a convenient location so that it can be conveniently stepped on by the dentist and when the pedal 52 is depressed by foot pressure, the valve 44 will open due to actuation of the solenoid 45, and also the relay '56 will be energized to thereby complete the circuit to the motor 39 so as to operate the pump 40. When foot pressure is released on the pedal 52, the circuit to the solenoid 45 will be broken so that the valve 44 will close, and also the circuit to the motor 39 will be interrupted in order to stop the operation of the pump 40.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

According to the present invention it is to be noted that there has been provided an improvement over existing turbo-jet dental equipment such as that made by Bowen and Company of Bethesda, Maryland. In the turbo-jet hydraulic dental equipment referred to made by Bowen and Company of Bethesda, Maryland, the returning water creates suction which is capable of drawing fluid from a patents mouth into the water reservoir while the drill is in operation and as long as the drill is used in conjunction with a water reservoir and where the water is allowed to be reused it will be unsanitary and will provide a means whereby bacteria can be transmitted from one human to another. It is not thought that the use of a germicidal solution will overcome this problem, but according to the present invention the water reservoir has been eliminated and the return water is permitted to go into a waste line so as to provide a definite improvement which is in the Public interest.

In FIGURE 3 the numeral 42 indicates a quick disconnect fitting or coupling which can be connected to a suitable source of water at the proper temperature whereby the water can be supplied through the hose 41 to the pump 40, and the hose 49 functions as a drain line. The valve such as the valve 48 can be regulated to control the speed of the drill 46. The mixing valve 10 is of the thermostatic type so that the water flowing through the line 13 will be of the desired temperature. FIGURE 1 illustrates a permanent installation for a dental oflice wherein a plurality of units are operated from a single pump and motor and wherein there is provided electric control by the foot pedals 25 and 25'. In FIGURE 3 there is illustrated a portable unit 36 which is controlled by the foot pedal 52.

As stated previously the present invention provides a water turbine electrically controlled improved dental drill which may be used in a permanent installation as shown. in FIGURE 1, or else it may be used as a portable unit as shown in FIGURE 3, and the present invention is an improvement over the water turbo-jet machine made by Bowen and Company of Bethesda, Maryland. Some of the advantages or improvements of the present invention are as follows. The water chamber in the Bowen and Company device has been eliminated for both the permanent and portable units by converting the system to direct Water supply, and the torque of the drill has been increased Without changing or sacrificing the number of r.p.m. for optimum speed, and a thermostatic control valve has been provided for producing a Water temperature for the spraying of the teeth while drilling. In addition as shown in FIGURE 1 one or more water turbine drills can be used independently or at the same time without effecting the torque of the drills.

According to the present invention by converting to direct water it is possible according to the present invention, to operate one or more turbines at the same time without effecting the torque or speed of the drill so as to provide a flexible arrangement for multiple ofiices. In addition, the temperature of the Water is controlled so as to make it more pleasant to the patient while drilling, and the running out of Water while drilling and having to refill the bucket is eliminated, and in addition greater torque is provided so as to make it practically impossible to stall or choke down while drilling, and yet there has been no increase in the number of r.p.m. so as to leave the same tactile control. Also, there will be better functioning and life to the pump and the component parts by permitting the pump to act as a booster rather than do all the work as was the case previously, and in addition water containers have been eliminated.

Furthermore, the water is chemically pure at all times so that the water can run the drill whereby there is eliminated the possibility of using stale water which may possibly have a bacteria flora present therein. In addition, the return water is now passed into the waste line instead of a water container to be reused so as to remove any possibility of transmitting bacteria back into a water container to be reused again.

Regarding the permanent installation for the turbo-jet, the water line from the water chamber to the pump has been disconnected and the water chamber has been removed, and the pump is connected to the direct water line and in addition there has been inserted the thermostatically controlled water valve on the line coming from both the hot and cold water, and this valve is indicated by the numeral 10. Also, the upright portion and hand piece has been removed from its original cabinet and these members are adapted to be placed on top of the sink cabinet in one of the operating rooms and these members can be fastened in place by any suitable manner.

Also, the low pressure of returning line along with the high pressure line has been moved from the original cabinet and connected up by connecting the low pressure line directly into the waste line of the sink and then connecting the high pressure line directly to the upright portion of the turbine on top of the sink cabinet, and a solenoid valve has been connected up on the direct water line between the pump and the turbine head, and the six volts floor switch has been connected to the solenoid valve.

With further reference to the portable unit as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the Water chamber has been disconnected from the pump of the Bowen device, and a one half inch copper outlet line has been connected to the pump and run through the cabinet with a connector provided for a rubber hose to be connected to the water faucet. The low pressure lines have been connected together and run to the outside of the cabinet for the waste water, and a rubber hose is adapted to be connected to the waste pipe and run into the sink or cuspidor since the pump will give suflicient pressure to carry the water upward from a floor level.

The solenoid valve is optional on the portable machine and if this is not used than a cut-olf valve is adapted to be placed on the outlet to the direct water line so as to prevent the water from turning the drill while not in operation.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming Within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a dental drill of the type which employs a water-driven turbine in the drill head and uses the waste Water from the turbine as a flushing agent for the drill, of a cabinet including a bottom, side Walls rising from said bottom, and a top extending over the upper ends of said side walls, a pump having an inlet and an outlet mounted within said cabinet on the bottom thereof, a flexible conduit extending through a side wall of said cabinet and having one end connected in communication with the inlet of said pump and having the other end adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water under pressure, a motor on said cabinet bottom adjacent said pump and drivingly connected thereto, a first conduit extending through said cabinet top and having one end connected in communication with said pump outlet and having the other connected in communication with said dental drill turbine, an electro-magnetically operable valve in said first conduit, a second conduit in said cabinet adjacent the top thereof and having one end connected in communication with said first conduit intermediate the ends thereof and having the other end adapted for connection to a waste drain, a hand operable valve in said second conduit, a bypass conduit having one end connected in communication with said first conduit intermediate the junction of said second conduit and said pump inlet and having the other end connected in communication with said second conduit intermediate said hand operable valve and said second conduit other end, a pressure regulating valve in said bypass conduit, a foot actuable switch on the lower end portion of another one of said side walls exteriorly of said cabinet, and an electrical circuit connecting said motor, said electro-magnetically operable valve and said foot switch to a source of electrical energy.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kern Feb. 3, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES 

